Method for separating cells using immunorosettes

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods for separating cells using immunorosettes. The method involves contacting a sample containing nucleated cells and red blood cells with an antibody composition which allows immunorosettes of the nucleated cells and the red blood cells to form. The antibody composition preferably contains bifunctional antibodies or tetrameric antibody complexes.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/579,463 that was filed on May 26, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,448,075), which claims benefit from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/203,477 filed on May 11, 2000; U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/193,371 filed on Mar. 31, 2000; and U.S. provisional application No. 60/136,770 filed on May 28, 1999; all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods for separating cells using immunorosettes. The invention includes novel antibody compositions for use in the method of the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many applications it is desirable to enrich or, alternatively, deplete certain cell populations in a biological sample. The fields of hematology, immunology and oncology rely on samples of peripheral blood and cell suspensions from related tissues such as bone marrow, spleen, thymus and fetal liver. The separation of specific cell types from these heterogeneous samples is key to research in these fields, diagnostics and therapy for certain malignancies and immune/hematopoietic disorders.

Purified populations of immune cells such as T cells and antigen presenting cells are necessary for the study of immune function and are used in immunotherapy. Investigation of the cellular, molecular and biochemical processes require analysis of certain cell types in isolation. Numerous techniques have been used to isolate T cell subsets, B cells, basophils, NK cells and dendritic cells.

The isolation of hematopoietic stem cells has also been an area of great interest. Pure populations of stem cells will facilitate studies of hematopoiesis and transplantation of hematopoietic cells from peripheral blood and/or bone marrow is increasingly used in combination with high-dose chemo- and/or radiotherapy for the treatment of a variety of disorders including malignant, nonmalignant and genetic disorders. Very few cells in such transplants are capable of long-term hematopoietic reconstitution, and thus there is a strong stimulus to develop techniques for purification of hematopoietic stem cells. Furthermore, serious complications and indeed the success of a transplant procedure is to a large degree dependent on the effectiveness of the procedures that are used for the removal of cells in the transplant that pose a risk to the transplant recipient. Such cells include T lymphocytes that are responsible for graft versus host disease (GVHD) in allogenic grafts, and tumor cells in autologous transplants that may cause recurrence of the malignant growth. It is also important to debulk the graft by removing unnecessary cells and thus reducing the volume of cyropreservant to be infused.

In certain instances it is desirable to remove or deplete tumor cells from a biological sample, for example in bone marrow transplants. Epithelial cancers of the bronchi, mammary ducts and the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts represent a major type of solid tumors seen today.

Micrometastatic tumor cell migration is thought to be an important prognostic factor for patients with epithelial cancer (Braun et al., 2000; Vaughan et al., 1990). The ability to detect such metastatic cells is limited by the effectiveness of tissue or fluid sampling and the sensitivity of tumor detection methods. A technique to enrich circulating epithelial tumor cells in blood samples would increase the ability to detect metastatic disease and facilitate the study of such rare cells and the determination of the biological changes which enable spread of disease.

Hematopoietic cells and immune cells have been separated on the basis of physical characteristics such as density and on the basis of susceptibility to certain pharmacological agents which kill cycling cells. The advent of monoclonal antibodies against cell surface antigens has greatly expanded the potential to distinguish and separate distinct cell types. There are two basic approaches to separating cell populations from blood and related cell suspensions using monoclonal antibodies. They differ in whether it is the desired or undesired cells which are distinguished/labelled with the antibody(s).

In positive selection techniques the desired cells are labelled with antibodies and removed from the remaining unlabelled/unwanted cells. In negative selection, the unwanted cells are labelled and removed. Antibody/complement treatment and the use of immunotoxins are negative selection techniques, but FACS sorting and most batch wise immunoadsorption techniques can be adapted to both positive and negative selection. In immunoadsorption techniques cells are selected with monoclonal antibodies and preferentially bound to a surface which can be removed from the remainder of the cells e,g. column of beads, flasks, magnetic particles. Immunoadsorption techniques have won favour clinically and in research because they maintain the high specificity of targeting cells with monoclonal antibodies, but unlike FACSorting, they can be scaled up to deal directly with the large numbers of cells in a clinical harvest and they avoid the dangers of using cytotoxic reagents such as immunotoxins, and complement. They do however, require the use of a “device” or cell separation surface such as a column of beads, panning flask or magnet.

Current techniques for the isolation of hematopoietic stem cells, immune cells and circulating epithelial tumor cells all involve an initial step to remove red cells then antibody mediated adherence to a device or artificial particle. (Firat et al., 1988; de Wynter et al., 1975; Shpall et al., 1994; Thomas et al., 1994; Miltenyi Biotec Inc., Gladbach, Germany) In the case of positive selection there is yet another step; removal of the cells from the device or particle. All these multiple steps require time and incur cell loss. Slaper-Cortenbach et al. (1990) describes a method for purging bone marrow of common acute leukemic (cALL) cells using immunorosetting. The method requires that the erythrocytes are first removed from the bone marrow sample and are labelled with antibodies that bind to the cALL cells. The labelled erythrocytes are then added back to the sample where the cALL cells are immunorosetted. The depletion method works best when followed by an additional step of complement mediated lysis of the cALL cells.

Density Separations are commonly used to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells from granulocytes and erythrocytes. Ficoll (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech AB, Uppsala Sweden) is the most popular density solution used for this application. In a Ficoll density separation whole blood is layered over Ficoll, and then centrifuged. The erythrocytes and granulocytes settle to the cell pellet and the mononuclear cells remain at the Ficoll plasma interface. The success of this technique relies on the difference in density between mononuclear cells and granulocytes. If whole blood is stored for more than 24 hours the granulocytes change density and will not pellet with the red cells. Suspensions of pure mononuclear cells can not be obtained from stored blood or samples with altered cell density in a single density separation.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art to provide novel methods for separating desired cells or removing unwanted cells from biological samples.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventors have developed a method for separating cells by immunorosetting the cells with red blood cells or erythrocytes already existing in the sample. The method of the invention is a much simpler yet equally efficient immunoaffinity technique as compared to the prior art methods. There is no “device” or need for an artificial separation surface (e.g., magnetic particles, affinity column) not normally present in the cell suspension. There is no need to first remove the erythrocytes from the sample and to then re-introduce them once they have been labelled with antibodies. Specific cell types are cross-linked to autologous erythrocytes found within the sample and subsequent rosettes are then removed by sedimentation or centrifugation.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of separating nucleated cells from a sample comprising the nucleated cells and erythrocytes comprising:

-   -   (1) contacting the sample with an antibody composition         comprising (a) at least one antibody that binds to an antigen on         the nucleated cells to be separated linked, either directly or         indirectly, to (b) at least one antibody that binds to the         erythrocytes, under conditions to allow immunorosettes of the         nucleated cells and the erythrocytes to form; and     -   (2) removing the immunorosettes from the sample.

The method can be used in both positive and negative selection protocols. The method can be used on any sample that contains red blood cells including whole blood, bone marrow, fetal liver, cord blood, buffy coat suspensions, pleural and peritoneal effusion and samples of thymocytes and splenocytes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in relation to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a rosette of erythrocytes formed around an unwanted nucleated cell using tetrameric antibody complexes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

I. Method of the Invention

As hereinbefore mentioned, the present invention relates to a method for separating cells by immunorosetting the cells with red blood cells.

In its broadest aspect, the present invention provides a method of separating nucleated cells from a sample comprising the nucleated cells and erythrocytes comprising:

-   -   (1) contacting the sample with an antibody composition         comprising (a) at least one antibody that binds to an antigen on         the nucleated cells to be separated linked, either directly or         indirectly, to (b) at least one antibody that binds to the         erythrocytes, under conditions to allow immunorosettes of the         nucleated cells and the erythrocytes to form; and     -   (2) removing the immunorosettes from the sample.

The method can be used in both positive and negative selection protocols. In positive selection, the desired cells are rosetted. In such an embodiment, the method would further include the step of lysing the red blood cells in the immunorosettes and separating the desired cells. Accordingly, in a positive selection method the antibody composition will contain (a) at least one antibody specific for the nucleated cells that one wishes to obtain or separate from the sample.

Preferably, the method of the invention is used in a negative selection protocol. In negative selection, the desired cells are not immunorosetted and would be remaining in the sample once the immunorosettes have been removed. In a negative selection method, the antibody composition will contain (a) at least one antibody specific for the cells that one wishes to remove from the sample. Accordingly, the present invention provides a negative selection method for enriching and recovering desired cells in a sample containing the desired cells, erythrocytes and undesired cells comprising:

-   -   (1) contacting the sample with an antibody composition         comprising (a) at least one antibody that binds to an antigen on         the undesired cells linked, either directly or indirectly,         to (b) at least one antibody that binds to the erythrocytes,         under conditions to allow immunorosettes of the undesired cells         and the erythrocytes to form; and     -   (2) separating the immunorosettes from the remainder of the         sample to obtain a sample enriched in the desired cells.

The immunorosettes between the erythrocytes and the unwanted cells formed in step (1) can be separated from the desired cells using a variety of techniques. In one embodiment, the sample, containing the immunorosettes, is layered over a buoyant density solution (such as Ficoll-Hypaque) and centrifuged. The immunorosettes pellet and the desired cells remain at the interface between the buoyant density solution and the sample. The desired cells are then removed from the interface for further use. In another embodiment, the sample containing the immunorosettes obtained in step (1) is mixed with a sedimentation reagent (such as hydroxyethyl starch, gelatin or methyl cellulose) and the rosettes are permitted to sediment. The desired cells remain in suspension and are removed for further use. In a further embodiment, the sample containing the immunorosettes obtained in step (1) is allowed to sediment with or without the aid of centrifugation or Counter Flow Elutriation. The desired cells remain in suspension and are removed for further use.

The antibody compositions for use in the present invention are described in greater detail below.

The method of the invention may be used in the processing of biological samples that contain erythrocytes including blood (in particular, cord blood and whole blood) bone marrow, fetal liver, buffy coat suspensions, pleural and peritoneal effusions and suspensions of thymocytes and splenocytes. Surprisingly, the inventors have found that the method can be used to remove cells directly from whole blood or whole bone marrow without prior processing. This offers a significant advantage of the method of the invention over the prior art methods. In particular, the erythrocytes do not have to be removed, labelled and added back to the sample.

The method of the invention can be used to prepare enriched samples of any cell type including, but not limited to, T cells, B cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, basophils, mast cells, progenitor cells, stem cells and tumor cells.

In one embodiment, the method of the invention can be used to prepare hematopoietic progenitor and stem cell preparations from bone marrow samples. For example, the method of the invention may be used in a negative selection protocol to deplete or purge B and T lymphocytes, monocytes, NK cells, granulocytes, and/or tumor cells from samples to prepare hematopoietic progenitor and stem cell preparations for use in transplantation as well as other therapeutic methods that are readily apparent to those of skill in the art. For example, bone marrow or blood can be harvested from a donor in the case of an allogenic transplant and enriched for progenitor and stem cells by the method described herein. Using negative selection the human hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells in the preparation are not coated with antibodies, or modified making them highly suitable for transplantation and other therapeutic uses that are readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

In another embodiment, the method of the invention can be used to isolate and recover mature dendritic cells and their precursors from blood. Dendritic cells have many useful applications including as antigen presenting cells capable of activating T cells both in vitro and in vivo. As an example, dendritic cells can be loaded (pulsed) in vitro with a tumor antigen and injected in vivo to induce an anti-tumor T cell response.

In a further embodiment, the method of the invention may also be used to prepare a cell preparation from samples such as blood and bone marrow, which is enriched in a selected differentiated cell type such as T-cells, B-cells, NK cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, basophils and plasma cells. This will enable studies of specific cell to cell interactions including growth factor production and responses to growth factors. It will also allow molecular and biochemical analysis of specific cells types. Cell preparations enriched in NK cells, dendritic cells and T-cells may also be used in immune therapy against certain malignancies.

In yet another embodiment, the method of the invention can be used to separate tumor cells, such as non-hematopoietic metastatic tumor cells from a sample. The method is useful in the detection of non-hematopoietic tumor cells from blood, bone marrow, and peritoneal and pleural effusions of patients to aid in the diagnosis and detection of metastatic disease, monitoring the progression of metastatic disease, or monitoring the efficacy of a treatment.

II. Antibody Compositions

The invention includes the antibody compositions for use in the method of the present invention. The antibody composition will contain (a) at least one antibody that binds to an antigen on nucleated cells linked, either directly or indirectly, to (b) at least one antibody that binds to an antigen on erythrocytes.

The term “at least one antibody” means that the antibody composition includes at least one type of antibody (as opposed to at least one antibody molecule). One type of antibody means an antibody that binds to a particular antigen. For example, antibodies that bind to the antigen CD2 are considered one type of antibody. Preferably, the antibody compositions of the invention contain (a) more than one antibody type that binds to nucleated cells.

The two antibodies (a) and (b) may be directly linked by preparing bifunctional or bispecific antibodies. The two antibodies (a) and (b) may be indirectly linked for example, by preparing tetrameric antibody complexes. All of these are described hereinafter.

In one aspect, the antibody specific for the nucleated cells is linked directly to the antibody specific for the erythrocytes. In one embodiment, the antibody composition of the present invention contains bifunctional antibodies comprising at least one antibody specific for the nucleated cells linked directly to (b) at least one antibody specific for the erythrocytes. Bifunctional antibodies may be prepared by chemically coupling one antibody to the other, for example by using N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP).

In another embodiment, the antibody composition contains bispecific antibodies. Bispecific antibodies contain a variable region of an antibody specific for erythrocytes and a variable region specific for at least one antigen on the surface of the nucleated cells to be separated. The bispecific antibodies may be prepared by forming hybrid hybridomas. The hybrid hybridomas may be prepared using the procedures known in the art such as those disclosed in Staerz & Bevan, (1986, PNAS (USA) 83: 1453) and Staerz & Bevan, (1986, Immunology Today, 7:241). Bispecific antibodies may also be constructed by chemical means using procedures such as those described by Staerz et al., (1985, Nature, 314:628) and Perez et al., (1985 Nature 316:354), or by expression of recombinant immunoglobulin gene constructs.

In another aspect, the antibody composition of the present invention comprises (a) at least one antibody specific for a nucleated cell type indirectly linked to (b) at least one antibody specific for the erythrocyte. By “indirectly linked” it is meant that antibody (a) and antibody (b) are not directly covalently linked to each other but are attached through a linking moiety such as an immunological complex. In a preferred embodiment, the antibody to the nucleated cell type is indirectly linked to the antibody specific for the erythrocytes by preparing a tetrameric antibody complex. A tetrameric antibody complex may be prepared by mixing a first monoclonal antibody which is capable of binding to the erythrocytes, and a second monoclonal antibody capable of binding the nucleated cells to be separated. The first and second monoclonal antibody are from a first animal species. The first and second antibody are reacted with approximately an equimolar amount of monoclonal antibodies of a second animal species which are directed against the Fc-fragments of the antibodies of the first animal species. The first and second antibody may also be reacted with an about equimolar amount of the F(ab′)₂ fragments of monoclonal antibodies of a second animal species which are directed against the Fc-fragments of the antibodies of the first animal species. (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,109 to Lansdorp, which is incorporated herein by reference for a description of tetrameric antibody complexes and methods for preparing same).

Preferably, the antibody specific for the erythrocytes is anti-glycophorin A. The anti-glycophorin A antibodies contained in the antibody composition of the invention are used to bind the erythrocytes. Examples of monoclonal antibodies specific for glycophorin A are 10F7MN (U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,582, Cell lines: ATCC accession numbers HB-8162), and D2.10 (Immunotech, Marseille, France).

Preferably, the antibody specific for the nucleated cells is a combination of antibodies. The combination of antibodies may be specific for a number of cell types so that many cell types may be removed from the sample. When using a combination of antibodies, each antibody will be linked (either directly or indirectly) to an antibody specific for erythrocytes.

In a preferred embodiment, the antibody composition is a tetrameric complex comprising (a) anti-glycophorin A antibodies to bind the erythrocytes, (b) an antibody that binds to a nucleated cell type that one wishes to immunorosette and (c) antibodies that bind the Fc portion of both (a) and (b), optionally F(ab′)₂ antibody fragments. The molar ratio of (a):(b):(c) may be approximately 1:3:4. When several types of cells are to be separated, complexes are made with several anti-nucleated cell antibodies (b). The complexes may then be mixed together to form an antibody composition for use in the method of the invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a rosette formed by tetrameric antibody complexes.

Within the context of the present invention, antibodies are understood to include monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antibodies, antibody fragments (e.g., Fab, and F(ab′)₂), chimeric antibodies, bifunctional or bispecific antibodies and tetrameric antibody complexes. Antibodies are understood to be reactive against a selected antigen on the surface of a nucleated cell or erythrocyte if they bind with an appropriate affinity (association constant), e.g. greater than or equal to 10⁷ M⁻¹.

Monoclonal antibodies are preferably used in the antibody compositions of the invention. Monoclonal antibodies specific for selected antigens on the surface of nucleated cells may be readily generated using conventional techniques. For example, monoclonal antibodies may be produced by the hybridoma technique originally developed by Kohler and Milstein 1975 (Nature 256, 495-497; see also U.S. Pat. Nos. RE 32,011, 4,902,614, 4,543,439, and 4,411,993 which are incorporated herein by reference; see also Monoclonal Antibodies, Hybridomas: A New Dimension in Biological Analyses, Plenum Press, Kennett, McKearn, and Bechtol (eds.), 1980, and Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Harlow and Lane (eds.), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1988). Other techniques may also be utilized to construct monoclonal antibodies (for example, see William D. Huse et al., 1989, “Generation of a Large Combinational Library of the Immunoglobulin Repertoire in Phage Lambda,” Science 246:1275-1281, L. Sastry et al., 1989 “Cloning of the Immunological Repertoire in Escherichia coli for Generation of Monoclonal Catalytic Antibodies: Construction of a Heavy Chain Variable Region-Specific cDNA Library,” Proc Natl. Acad. Sci USA 86:5728-5732; Kozbor et al., 1983 Immunol. Today 4, 72 re the human B-cell hybridoma technique; Cole et al. 1985 Monoclonal Antibodies in Cancer Therapy, Allen R. Bliss, Inc., pages 77-96 re the EBV-hybridoma technique to produce human monoclonal antibodies; and see also Michelle Alting-Mees et al., 1990 “Monoclonal Antibody Expression Libraries: A Rapid Alternative to Hybridomas,” Strategies in Molecular Biology 3:1-9). Hybridoma cells can be screened immunochemically for production of antibodies specifically reactive with an antigen, and monoclonal antibodies can be isolated.

Antibodies can be fragmented using conventional techniques and the fragments screened for utility in the same manner as described above for whole antibodies. For example, F(ab′)₂ fragments can be generated by treating antibody with pepsin. The resulting F(ab′)₂ fragment can be treated to reduce disulfide bridges to produce Fab′ fragments.

The invention also contemplates chimeric antibody derivatives, i.e., antibody molecules that combine a non-human animal variable region and a human constant region. Chimeric antibody molecules can include, for example, the antigen binding domain from an antibody of a mouse, rat, or other species, with human constant regions. A variety of approaches for making chimeric antibodies have been described and can be used to make chimeric antibodies containing the immunoglobulin variable region which recognizes selected antigens on the surface of differentiated cells or tumor cells. See, for example, Morrison et al., 1985; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81,6851; Takeda et al., 1985, Nature 314:452; Cabilly et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Boss et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,397; Tanaguchi et al., European Patent Publication EP171496; European Patent Publication 0173494, United Kingdom patent GB 2177096B.

Bifunctional antibodies may be prepared by chemical conjugation, somatic hybridization or genetic engineering techniques.

Chemical conjugation is based on the use of homo- and heterobifunctional reagents with ε-amino groups or hinge region thiol groups. Homobifunctional reagents such as 5,5′-Dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)(DNTB) generate disulfide bonds between the two Fabs, and 0-phenylenedimaleimide (O-PDM) generate thioether bonds between the two Fabs (Brenner et al., 1985, Glennie et al., 1987). Heterobifunctional reagents such as N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridylditio) propionate (SPDP) combine exposed amino groups of antibodies and Fab fragments, regardless of class or isotype (Van Dijk et al., 1989).

Somatic hybridization includes fusion of two established hybridomas generating a quadroma (Milstein and Cuello, 1983) or fusion of one established hybridoma with lymphocytes derived from a mouse immunized with a second antigen generating a trioma (Nolan and Kennedy, 1990). Hybrid hybridomas are selected by making each hybridoma cell line resistant to a specific drug-resistant marker (De Lau et al., 1989), or by labeling each hybridoma with a different fluorochrome and sorting out the heterofluorescent cells (Karawajew et al., 1987).

Genetic engineering involves the use of recombinant DNA based technology to ligate sequences of DNA encoding specific fragments of antibodies into plasmids, and expressing the recombinant protein. Bispecific antibodies can also be made as a single covalent structure by combining two single chains Fv (scFv) fragments using linkers (Winter and Milstein, 1991); as leucine zippers coexpressing sequences derived from the transcription factors fos and jun (Kostelny et al., 1992); as helix-turn-helix coexpressing an interaction domain of p53 (Rheinnecker et al., 1996), or as diabodies (Holliger et al., 1993).

Table 1 provides examples of antibodies to particular human antigens on nucleated cells that may be used in the method of the present invention. The method of the invention may also be used for other species. The choice of the antibody or antibodies to the nucleated cells will depend on the nature of the sample, the choice of the cells to be enriched or depleted and whether the method is a positive or negative selection protocol. In all cases, the antibody (or antibodies) to the nucleated cells to be immunorosetted will be linked, either directly or indirectly, to the antibody specific for the erythrocytes when used in the method of the invention.

The methods and antibody compositions of the invention are preferably used in negative selection protocols to prepare a cell preparation which is enriched for a specific cell type. This is achieved by using antibody compositions which lack antibodies to the specific cell type that you wish to isolate. Accordingly, the present invention provides an antibody composition for enriching and recovering desired cells in a sample containing desired cells, erythrocytes and undesired cells comprising (a) at least one antibody that binds to an antigen on the undesired cells linked to (b) at least one antibody that binds to the erythrocytes. Particular embodiments of the antibody compositions that may be used in negative selection protocols of the invention for human cells are set out in Table 2. This Table provides a list or cocktail of antibodies to particular antigens that can be used as antibody (a) in the above method to enrich for a particular cell type. In most cases, several choices for the essential antibodies are provided as well as several optional antibodies. For example, for enriching for T cells antibody (a) may be a cocktail of antibodies to (1) CD16 and/or CD66b and/or CD11b and/or CD15; (2) CD19 and/or CD20 and/or CD21 and/or CD22 and/or CD24 and/or Ig; and (3) CD36 and/or CD14. The cocktail may optionally include antibodies to CD33 and/or CD56 and/or IgE and/or CD41. In addition to the antibody combinations listed in Table 2, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other antibody combinations may be used to enrich for specific cell types such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,299 which is incorporated herein by reference. As the invention relates to the preparation of immunorosettes to prepare enriched cell preparations, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other antibodies and antibody combinations may be used.

The methods and antibody compositions of the invention may be used in positive selection protocols to prepare a cell preparation in which the desired cells are immunorosetted. Some examples of antibody combinations useful in positive selection protocols are set out below.

To separate non-hematopoietic tumor cells in a positive selection protocol, the antibody composition includes antibodies specific for non-hematopoietic antigens expressed on tumor cells, such as antibodies against antigens expressed on the surface of breast and lung carcinoma and neuroblastoma cells. The antibodies to the non-hematopoietic antigens expressed on epithelial tumor cells may be obtained from commercial sources (for example as shown in Table 3) or prepared using techniques known in the art.

To separate B cells in a positive selection protocol, the antibody composition contains antibodies against CD24 and/or CD19 and/or CD20 and/or CD22.

To separate T cells in a positive selection protocol, the antibody composition contains antibodies against CD3 and/or CD2 and/or CD5 and/or both CD4 and CD8.

To separate NK cells in a positive selection protocol, the antibody composition contains antibodies against CD56.

To separate granulocytes in a positive selection protocol, the antibody composition contains antibodies against CD16 and/or CD66e and/or CD66b.

To separate monocytes in a positive selection protocol, the antibody composition contains antibodies against CD14.

The following non-limiting examples are illustrative of the present invention:

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of Tetramers

In order to prepare a tetrameric antibody complex for use in the method of the present invention, the following protocol may be used: (a) take 1 mg of antibody specific for cells to be rosetted (e.g. anti-CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD14, CD16, CD19 etc.); (b) add 3 mg anti-Glycophorin A antibody (against red blood cells); mix well (c) then add 4.0 mg of P9 antibody or 2.72 mg of the P9 F(ab′)₂ antibody fragment. Incubate overnight at 37° C. The P9 antibody binds the Fc portion of the antibodies added in steps (a) and (b) resulting in a tetrameric antibody complex. For more information on the preparation of tetramers see U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,109 to Lansdorp, which is incorporated herein by reference. Tetrameric antibody complexes incorporating different antibodies to antigens expressed or nucleated cells are prepared separately and then mixed.

The antibody compositions are made by combining various tetrameric antibody complexes depending on which cells one wishes to deplete. The concentration of the various tetrameric antibody complexes varies: typically antibodies to antigens expressed on nucleated cells are at 10-30 μg/mL in tetrameric complexes. The composition is then diluted 1/10 into the cells so the final concentrations of each anti nucleated cell antibody in the cell suspensions is 1.0-3.0 μg/mL.

Example 2 Method of Immunorosetting Using Ficoll

A negative selection protocol for immunorosetting cells from whole peripheral blood using Ficoll Hypaque is set out below.

-   -   1. Add 100 μL antibody composition per mL of whole peripheral         blood.     -   2. Incubate 20 minutes at room temperature.     -   3. Dilute sample with an equal volume of phosphate buffered         saline (PBS)+2% fetal calf serum (FCS) and mix gently.     -   4. Layer the diluted sample on top of Ficoll Hypaque or layer         the Ficoll underneath the diluted sample.     -   5. Centrifuge for 20 minutes at 1200×g, room temperature, with         the brake off.     -   6. Remove the enriched cells from the Ficoll:plasma interface.     -   7. Wash enriched cells with 5-10×volume of PBS+2% FBS.         Note: For enrichment of monocytes and other adherent cells, add         1 mM EDTA to the sample of whole blood and to all wash/dilution         solutions.

Example 3 Method of Immunorosetting Using Hetastarch Sedimentation

A negative selection protocol for immunorosetting cells from whole peripheral blood using hetastarch is set out below. Hetastarch is one of a number of compounds that increases red blood cell sedimentation rates through agglutination.

-   -   1. Add 1 mL of 6% hetastarch in saline per 5 mL of blood and         mix.     -   2. Add antibody composition described in Example 1 to whole         blood such that each anti-nucleated cell antibody is at a final         concentration of 1.0-2.0 μg/mL.     -   3. Incubate 10 minutes at room temperature.     -   4. Centrifuge for 5 minutes at 50×g, room temperature.     -   5. Remove supernatant. This fraction contains the enriched         cells.     -   6. Wash enriched cell fraction with 2-5×volume of PBS+2% fetal         bovine serum (FBS).

Example 4 Method of Immunorosetting Using Hetastarch/Iodixanol Mixture

A negative selection protocol for immunorosetting cells from whole peripheral blood is set out below.

-   -   1. Add 1 mL of 6% hetastarch in saline per 5 mL of blood and         mix.     -   2. Add 0.6 mL of 60% w/v iodixanol and mix. Iodixanol is one of         a number of compounds that increases the aqueous solution         density appreciably.     -   3. Add antibody composition described in Example 1 to whole         blood such that each anti-nucleated cell antibody is at a final         concentration of 1.0-2.0 μg/mL.     -   4. Incubate 10 minutes at room temperature.     -   5. Centrifuge for 5 minutes at 50×g, room temperature.     -   6. Remove supernatant. This fraction contains the enriched         cells.     -   7. Wash enriched cell fraction with 2-5×volume of PBS+2% FBS.

Example 5 Method of Immunorosetting—Positive Selection

A positive selection protocol for immunorosetting cells from whole peripheral blood is set out below.

-   -   1. Set aside 1 mL of blood.     -   2. Layer 10 mL of blood over Ficoll-Paque and centrifuge for 20         minutes at 1200×g, room temperature, brake off.     -   3. Recover the MNC layer at the Ficoll:plasma interface, wash         with PBS+2% FBS.     -   4. Count cells and resuspend at 1×10⁸/mL.     -   5. Measure sample volume, designated volume A.     -   6. Add 0.2 mL of reserved blood from Step 1.     -   7. Make up total volume to twice volume A with PBS+2% FBS.     -   8. Add a tetrameric antibody complex specific to a given antigen         at a final concentration of 1.0 μg/mL, the synthesis of which is         described in Example 1.     -   9. Incubate 20 minutes at room temperature.     -   10. Dilute by a factor of 2 with PBS+2% FBS and layer over         Percoll prepared at a density of 1.085 g/mL and an osmolarity of         280 mOsm.     -   11. Centrifuge for 20 minutes at 1200×g as in Step 2.     -   12. Discard supernatant and resuspend pellet containing the         enriched cells.     -   13. Lyse red blood cells with ammonium chloride solution and         wash with PBS+2% FBS.

Example 6 Enrichment of T Cells—Immunorosetting Using Ficoll

This example demonstrates the enrichment of T cells from whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 2. A T cell enrichment cocktail of tetrameric antibody complexes containing antibodies against CD16, CD19, CD36 and CD56 was prepared. The results, shown in Table 4, demonstrate that the method of the invention results in 95% purity of T cells with a recovery of close to 50%.

Example 7 Enrichment of CD8⁺ T Cells—Immunorosetting Using Ficoll

This example demonstrates the enrichment of CD8⁺ T cells from whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 2. Two cocktails of tetrameric antibody complexes were tested. One cocktail contained antibodies against CD4, CD16, CD19, CD36 and CD56 the other contained antibodies to CD4, CD16, CD19, CD36, CD56 and IgE. The results, shown in Table 5, demonstrate that the addition of anti IgE to the cocktail improves the purity of CD8⁺ T cells with no effect on recovery.

Example 8 Enrichment of CD4⁺ T Cells—Immunorosetting Using Ficoll

This example demonstrates the enrichment of CD4⁺ T cells from whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 2. Two CD4 T cell enrichment cocktails of tetrameric antibody complexes were prepared. One cocktail contained antibodies to CD8, CD16, CD19, CD36 and CD56. The other cocktail contained antibodies to CD8, CD16, CD19, CD36, CD56 and IgE. The results, shown in Table 6, demonstrate that the method of the invention results in 93% purity of CD4⁺ T cells with a recovery of 46% and that addition of anti-IgE to the enrichment cocktail improves the purity of CD4⁺ T cells.

Example 9 Enrichment of B Cells—Immunorosetting Using Ficoll

This example demonstrates the enrichment of B cells from whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 2. Two B cell enrichment cocktails of tetrameric antibody complexes were prepared. One cocktail contained antibodies to CD2, CD3, CD16, CD36 and CD56. The other cocktail contained antibodies to CD2, CD3, CD16, CD36, CD56 and IgE. The results, shown in Table 7, demonstrate that the method of the invention results in 88% purity of B cells with a recovery of 43% and that addition of anti-IgE to the cocktail improves the purity of B cells.

Example 10 Enrichment of NK Cells—Immunorosetting Using Ficoll

This example demonstrates the enrichment of NK cells from whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 2. Two NK cell enrichment cocktails of tetrameric antibody complexes were prepared. One cocktail contained antibodies to CD3, CD4, CD19, CD66b and CD36. The other cocktail contained antibodies to CD3, CD4, CD19, CD66b, CD36 and IgE. The results, shown in Table 8, demonstrate that the method of the invention results in 74% purity of NK cells with a recovery of 44% and that the addition of anti-IgE to the cocktail improves purity but decreases recovery.

Example 11 Enrichment of Progenitors

This example demonstrates the enrichment of progenitor cells from whole umbilical cord blood using the method described in Example 2. Two different cocktails of tetrameric antibody complexes were used;

-   -   (a) the progenitor enrichment cocktail containing tetrameric         antibody complexes to CD2, CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, CD24, CD56 and         CD66b;     -   (b) the de-bulking cocktail containing tetrameric antibody         complexes to CD2, CD14, CD19 and CD66b.         The results, shown in Table 9, demonstrate that the method of         the invention results in 29% purity of CD34⁺ cells with a         recovery of 53% for the extensive progenitor enrichment cocktail         and only 5% purity and 45% recovery for the four antibody         de-bulking cocktail.

Example 12 Enrichment of Monocytes—Immunorosetting Using Ficoll

This example demonstrates the enrichment of monocytes from whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 2. Several monocyte enrichment cocktails of tetrameric antibody were prepared (see Table 10). The results shown in Table 10 demonstrate that the method of the invention results in 76% purity of CD14⁺ cells with 65% recovery of CD14⁺ cells and that the addition of anti CD8 or anti-IgE improved the purity of monocytes but adding both anti-CD8 and IgE did not have an additive effect.

Example 13 Enrichment of Non-hematopoietic Tumor Cells

This example demonstrates the enrichment of breast cancer cells from whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 2. Cells from the CAMA breast cancer cell line were seeded into samples of whole peripheral blood at a frequency of 1/10³, 1/10⁴ and 1/10⁵. Three tumor cell enrichment cocktails of tetrameric antibody complexes were prepared. The antibody composition of the cocktails is listed in Table 11. The results, shown in Table 12, demonstrate that the method of the invention results in greater than 2 log enrichment of tumor cells with 20-50% recovery of tumor cells. The more extensive cocktail offers a greater degree of tumor cell enrichment.

Example 14 T Cell Enrichment—Effect of Substituting Anti-CD14 with Anti-CD36

This example demonstrates the improved T cell enrichment from whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 2 when the enrichment cocktail is modified by substituting anti-CD36 for anti-CD14. The results in Table 13 show a 24% increase in % purity of CD3⁺ cells with the antibody substitution.

Example 15 Enrichment of Specific Cell Populations Using Hetastarch Sedimentation

This example demonstrates the enrichment of various cell populations from whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 3.

A T cell enrichment cocktail of tetrameric antibody complexes containing antibodies against CD16, CD19, CD36 and CD56 was prepared. The method of the invention results in greater than 95% purity of T cells, with a recovery of 60%.

A B cell enrichment cocktail of tetrameric antibody complexes containing antibodies against CD2, CD3, CD16, CD36 and CD56 was prepared. The method of the invention results in 75% purity of B cells, with a recovery of 39%.

A NK cell enrichment cocktail of tetrameric antibody complexes containing antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD19, CD36 and CD66b was prepared. The method of the invention results in 65% purity of NK cells, with a recovery of 27%.

Example 16 Enrichment of Specific Cell Populations Using Hetastarch/Iodixanol Mixture

This example demonstrates the enrichment of various cell populations from whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 4. The results, listed in Table 14, are summarized as follows.

A T cell enrichment cocktail of tetrameric antibody complexes containing antibodies against CD16, CD19, CD36 and CD56 was prepared. The method of the invention results in 95% purity of T cells, with a recovery of 61%.

A CD4⁺ T cell enrichment cocktail of tetrameric antibody complexes containing antibodies against CD8, CD16, CD 19, CD36 and CD56 was prepared. The method of the invention results in 89% purity of CD4+ T cells, with a recovery of 64%.

A CD8⁺ T cell enrichment cocktail of tetrameric antibody complexes containing antibodies against CD4, CD16, CD 19, CD36 and CD56 was prepared. The method of the invention results in 80% purity of CD8+ T cells, with a recovery of 43%.

A B cell enrichment cocktail of tetrameric antibody complexes containing antibodies against CD2, CD3, CD16, CD36 and CD56 was prepared. The method of the invention results in 84% purity of B cells, with a recovery of 58%.

A NK cell enrichment cocktail of tetrameric antibody complexes containing antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD 19, CD36 and CD66b was prepared. The method of the invention results in 80% purity of NK cells, with a recovery of 50%.

Example 17 Immunorosetting Using Different Layering Media

This example demonstrates that the method of Example 2 can be modified by substituting different media for Ficoll-Hypaque in Step 4. The density of Ficoll was 1.077 g/mL and the osmolarity was approximately 300 mOsm. Percoll and Iodixanol solutions were prepared with a density of 1.085 g/mL and an osmolarity of 280 mOsm. A B cell enrichment cocktail containing antibody complexes against CD2, CD3, CD16, CD36 and CD56 was prepared.

The results of B cell enrichments for two separate samples, shown in Table 15, demonstrate that the use of different layering media at a higher density can increase the recovery of B cells without lowering the B cell purity.

Example 18 Purging of T Cells Using Immunorosettes

This example demonstrates the removal of T cells from whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 2. T cells purging cocktail of tetrameric antibody complexes to CD3 was prepared. The method of the invention resulted in 2.3 log depletion of CD3⁺ cells.

Example 19 Purging of B Cells Using Immunorosettes

This example demonstrates the removal of B cells from whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 2. B cells purging cocktail of tetrameric antibody complexes to CD19 was prepared. The method of the invention resulted in 3.0 log depletion of CD19⁺ cells.

Example 20 Purging of Breast Carcinoma Cells Using Immunorosetting

This example demonstrates the removal of breast carcinoma cells from whole peripheral blood seeded with 1-5% CAMA breast carcinoma cells using the method described in Example 2. A purging cocktail of tetrameric antibody complexes containing anti-breast carcinoma antibodies 5E11 and BRST 1 was prepared. The results shown in Table 16 demonstrate the method of the invention results in 1.0-1.4 log depletion of breast carcinoma cells.

Example 21 Removal of Granulocytes from Previously Stored Whole Peripheral Blood

The density of granulocytes in samples of whole peripheral blood decreases with >24 hours of storage. Density separation methods commonly used to remove red cells and granulocytes from fresh whole blood do not efficiently remove granulocytes from stored blood samples. The sedimentation rate of stored granulocytes can be increased to allow efficient removal in a standard Ficoll density separation (1.077 g/mL) by immunorosetting. This example demonstrates the removal of granulocytes from stored (48 hour) whole peripheral blood using the method described in Example 2. A granulocyte depletion cocktail containing tetrameric antibody complexes against CD66b was prepared. The results, shown in Table 17, demonstrate that the method of the invention results in 1.8-2.6 log depletion of granulocytes.

Example 22 Positive Selection of Specific Cell Populations Using Immunorosetting

This example demonstrates the enrichment of CD8⁺ cells from whole peripheral blood using the positive selection method described in Example 5. A tetrameric antibody complex against CD8 was prepared. The method of the invention results in the enrichment of CD8⁺ cells as a percentage of the mononuclear cell fraction from 25% in the start to 32% in the pellet.

While the present invention has been described with reference to what are presently considered to be the preferred examples, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TABLE 1 Antibodies used in Cell Separation Antigen Antibody Source CCR5 BLR-7 R&D, Minneapolis, MN CD2 6F10.3 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France MT910 Dako, Carpinteria, CA CD3 UCHT1 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France SK7 Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry, Mountain View, Calif. CD4 13B8.2 Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry, Mountain View, Calif. CD5 UCHT2 Serotec, Raleigh, NC CD8 B911 Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry, Mountain View, Calif. OKT3 BioDesigns CD10 ALB1 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France CD11b ICRF44 Pharmingen, San Diego, CA CD14 MEM 15 Exbio, Praha, Czech Republic MEM 18 CD15 DU-HL60-3 Sigma, St. Louis, MO CD16 MEM 154 Exbio, Praha, Czech Republic 3G8 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France NKP15 Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry, Mountain View, Calif. CD19 J4.119 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France 4G7 Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry, Mountain View, Calif. HD37 Dako, Carpinteria, CA CD20 MEM97 Exbio, Praha, Czech Republic L27 Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry, Mountain View, Calif. CD21 B-Ly4 Pharmingen, San Diego, CA CD22 HIB22 Pharmingen, San Diego, CA CD24 32D12 Dr. Steinar Funderud, Institute for Cancer Research, Dept. of Immunology, Oslo, Norway ALB9 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France CD25 3G10 Caltaq, Burlingame, CA CD27 1A4CD27 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France CD29 Lia1.2 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France CD33 D3HL60.251 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France CD34 581 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France CD36 FA6.152 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France IVC7 CLB, Central Laboratory of the Netherlands, Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service CD38 T16 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France CD41 PI1.64 Kaplan, 5th International Workshop on Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens SZ22 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France CD42a Bebl Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry, Mountain View, Calif. CD45 J33 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France MEM28 Exbio, Praha, Czech Republic CD45RA 8D2.2 Craig et al. 1994, StemCell Technologies, Vancouver, Canada L48 Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry, Mountain View, Calif. CD45RO UCHL1 Dako, Carpinteria, CA CD56 T199 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France MY31 Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry, Mountain View, Calif. CD66e CLB/gran10 CLB, Central Laboratory of the Netherlands, Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service CD66b B13.9 CLB, Central Laboratory of the Netherlands, Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service 80H3 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France CD69 L78 BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA CD71 My29 Zymed Laboratories, San Francisco, CA CD124 S456C9 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France HLADR IMMU357.12 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France IgAl NiF2 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France IgE G7-18 Pharmingen, San Diego, CA IgG 8A4 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France TCRαβ WT31 BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA TCRγδ Immu510 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France

TABLE 2 Immunorosetting Cocktails of Antibodies for Negative Selection of Human Cells T Cell Enrichment Anti- CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 Resting T Cell Enrichment Anti- HLA-DR and/or CD25, CD69 CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 γδ T Cell Enrichment anti- αβTCR CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 αβT Cell Enrichment Anti- γδTCR CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD 22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 CD4+ T Cell Enrichment Anti- CD8 CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 Naïve CD4+ T Cell Enrichment Anti- CD8 CD45RO and/or CD29 CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 Memory CD4+ T Cell Enrichment Anti- CD8 CD45RA CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 Resting CD4+ T Cell Enrichment Anti- CD8 HLA-DR and/or CD25, CD69 CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 CD4+ αβT Cell Enrichment Anti- γδTCR CD8 CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 TH1 CD4+ T Cell Enrichment Anti- CD8 CD124 CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 TH2 CD4+ T Cell Enrichment Anti- CD8 CCR5 CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 CD8+ T Cell Enrichment Anti- CD4 CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 Naïve CD8+ T Cell Enrichment Anti- CD4 CD45RO and/or CD29 CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 Memory CD8+ T Cell Enrichment Anti- CD4 CD45RA CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 Resting CD8+ T Cell Enrichment Anti- CD4 HLA-DR and/or CD25, CD69, CD27 CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 CD8+ αβT Cell Enrichment Anti- γδTCR CD4 CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24, Ig CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, IgE, CD41 B Cell Enrichment Anti- CD2 and/or CD3, both CD4 and CD8 CD16 and/or CD66b, CD11b, CD15 CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD56, CD41 NK Cell Enrichment Anti- CD3 CD66b and/or CD15 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24 CD36 and/or CD14 and optionally anti-CD33, CD4, IgE, CD41 Monocyte Enrichment Anti- CD2 and/or CD3, CD5 CD19 and/or CD20, CD21, CD22, CD24 CD66b and/or CD16 and optionally anti-CD8, CD56 Dendritic Cell Enrichment Anti- CD3 CD14 CD16 CD19 CD34 CD56 CD66b Basophil Enrichment Anti- CD2 CD3 CD14 CD15 CD16 CD19 CD24 CD34 CD36 CD56 CD45RA Progenitor Enrichment Anti- CD2 and/or CD3 CD16 and/or CD66b CD19 and/or CD24 CD14 and optionally anti-CD56, CD10, CD45RA, CD38, CD36, CD33, CD71 Erythroid Progenitor Enrichment Anti- CD2 and/or CD3 CD16 and/or CD66b CD19 and/or CD24 CD14 CD45RA CD33 CD10 and optionally anti- CD56 Myeloid Progenitor Enrichment Anti- CD2 and/or CD3 CD16 and/or CD66b CD19 and/or CD24 CD14 CD71 CD10 and optionally anti-CD56 Megakaryocyte Progenitor Enrichment Anti- CD2 and/or CD3 CD16 and/or CD66b CD19 and/or CD24 CD14 CD45RA CD10 and optionally anti-CD56 Epithelial Tumor Cell Enrichment Anti- CD45 CD66b and optionally CD2, CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, CD36, CD38, CD56, CD66e

TABLE 3 Antibodies Recognizing Non-Hematopoietic Antigens Expressed on Epithelial Tumor Cells Specificity Antibody Antigen Supplier/Developer Epithelial cell BerEp4 ESA, (Epithelial Specific DAKO markers Antigen) (also known as HEA) HEA125 ESA Serotec, Cymbus, Pierce, RDI, Biodesign VU-1D9 ESA Cymbus GP1.4 EMA, (Epithelial Membrane IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, Antigen)(also known as PEM/ France Episialin, a sialomucin) VU-4H5 EMA Neomarkers MC.5 EMA Biogenex, also Biodesign B24.1 EMA Biomeda E29 EMA DAKO H11 EGFR DAKO RAR9941 epithelial glycoprotein Baxter, Germany RAR9948 epithelial glycoprotein Baxter, Germany Carcinoma CU-18 BCA 225 (Breast carcinoma ID Labs (breast, cervical, associated antigen) ovarian, lung, endometrial) Carcinoma 115D8 Carcinoma associated antigen Biogenex, Biodesign Adenocarcinomas B72.3 TAG-72 (Tumour associated ID Labs, Biogenex, Signet glycoprotein) Adenocar- B6.2 Unknown, breast cancer marker Biogenex cinomas, mammary & lung carcinomas Breast Carcinoma 5E11 unknown, breast carcinoma STI 6E7 unknown, breast carcinoma STI H23A unknown, breast carcinoma STI CA27.29 MAM-6, mucin Cedarlane SM-3 milk mucin core antigen Cymbus, Biodesign, Imperial Cancer Research Fund DF3 CA 15-3 (breast tumour ID Labs marker) 552 CA 15-3 Biodesign 695 CA 15-3 Biodesign RAR9938 c-erb B2 Baxter, Germany C13B5 c-erb B2 IMMUNOTECH, Marseille, France, also Biogenex Lung MOC-1 Small cell lung carcinoma ICN Biomed, also Biodesign MOC-21 Small cell lung carcinoma ICN Biomed, also Biodesign MOC-31 Small cell lung carcinoma ICN Biomed, also Biodesign MOC-32 Small cell lung carcinoma ICN Biomed, also Biodesign MOC-52 Small cell lung carcinoma ICN Biomed, also Biodesign TFS-4 Small cell lung carcinoma Biodesign Melanoma NKI/C3 Melanoma associated antigen ICN Biomed, also Biodesign NKI/M6 Melanoma associated antigen Biodesign PAL-MI Melanoma associated antigen ICN Biomed, also Biodesign HMB45 Melanoma cells Biodesign Ovarian tumour 185 CA-125 (ovarian tumour ICN Biomed, also Biodesign marker) OV-632 Ovarian cancinoma marker ICN Biomed, also Biodesign Gastro-Intestinal CA 19-9 GI tumour marker ICN Biomed, also Biodesign Cancer CA242 GI cancer BioDesign Renal Cell RC38 Renal Cell Carcinoma Biodesign Carcinoma Ewing's Sarcoma O13 Signet Ewing's Sarcoma CC49 on human adenocarcinomas Signet Neuroblastoma UJ13A unknown Hurko and Walsh (1983) Neurology 33: 734 UJ181.4 unknown Hurko and Walsh (1983) Neurology 33: 734 UJ223.8 unknown Hurko and Walsh (1983) Neurology 33: 734 UJ127.11 unknown Hurko and Walsh (1983) Neurology 33: 734 5.1.H11 unknown Hurko and Walsh (1983) Neurology 33: 734 390,459 unknown R.C. Seeger, L. A. Children's Hospital, Calif. BA-1.2 unknown R.C. Seeger, L. A. Children's Hospital, Calif. HSAN 1.2 unknown Reynolds and Smith (1982) Hybridomas in Cancer p235

TABLE 4 T Cell Enrichment - Immunorosetting Using Ficoll Purity mean 95 SD 4 n 19 Recovery mean 46 SD 12 n 19 SD = Standard deviation from the mean Purity = % CD3+ cells Recovery = Recovery of CD3+ cells

TABLE 5 CD8+ T Cell Enrichment - Immunorosetting Using Ficoll Cocktail n % Purity ± 1SD % Recovery ± 1SD CD4, CD16, CD19, CD36, 19 76 ± 8 44 ± 19 CD56 CD4, CD16, CD19, CD36, 5 81 ± 4  45 ± 37* CD56, IgE SD = Standard Deviation from the mean Purity = % CD8+ cells Recovery = % Recovery of CD8+ cells *n = 4

TABLE 6 CD4+ T Cell Enrichment - Immunorosetting Using Ficoll Cocktail n % Purity ± 1SD % Recovery ± 1SD CD8, CD16, CD19, CD36, 19 89 ± 4 57 ± 22 CD56 CD8, CD16, CD19, CD36, 7 93 ± 3  46 ± 10* CD56, IgE SD = Standard Deviation from the mean Purity = % CD4+ cells Recovery = % Recovery of CD4+ cells *n = 5

TABLE 7 B Cell Enrichment - Immunorosetting Using Ficoll Cocktail n % Purity ± 1SD % Recovery ± 1SD CD2, CD3, CD16, CD36, 22 72 ± 15 61 ± 27 CD56 CD2, CD3, CD16, CD36, 5 88 ± 7  43 ± 18 CD56, IgE SD = Standard Deviation from the mean Purity = % CD19+ cells Recovery = % Recovery of CD19+ cells

TABLE 8 NK Cell Enrichment - Immunorosetting Using Ficoll Cocktail n % Purity ± 1SD % Recovery ± 1SD CD3, CD4, CD19, CD66b, 15 74 ± 10 44 ± 19 CD36 CD3, CD4, CD19, CD66b, 6 88 ± 4  27 ± 20 CD36, IgE SD = Standard Deviation from the mean Purity = % CD56 + cells Recovery = % recovery of CD56 + cells

TABLE 9 Enrichment of CD34+ cells from Whole Cord Blood - Immunorosetting Using Ficoll Cocktail n % Purity ± 1SD % Recovery ± 1SD Progenitor 15 29 ± 9 53 ± 29 Enrichment Debulking 8  5 ± 1 45 ± 20 Purity = % CD34+ cells Recovery = % recovery of CD34+ cells SD = Standard Deviation from the mean

TABLE 10 Monocyte Enrichment - Immunorosetting Using Ficoll Cocktail n % Purity ± 1SD % Recovery ± 1SD CD2, CD3, CD19, CD56, 8 71 ± 7 63 ± 28 CD66b CD2, CD3, CD19, CD56, 5   76 ± 1.5 65 ± 28 CD66b, CD8 CD2, CD3, CD19, CD56, 6 77 ± 4 58 ± 24 CD66b, IgE CD2, CD3, CD19, CD56, 4 76 ± 3 64 ± 26 CD66b, IgE, CD8 CD2, CD3, CD19, CD56, 1 76 64 CD66b, CD16 CD2, CD3, CD19, CD56, 1 73 41 CD66b, CD20 Purity = % Purity CD14+ cells Recovery = % Recovery of CD14+ cells

TABLE 11 Antibody Composition of Tumor Enrichment Cocktails Cocktail Antibodies in Cocktail CD45 alone CD45 CD45 and CD66b CD45, CD66b Extensive cocktail CD45, CD2, CD16, CD19, CD36, CD38, CD66b

TABLE 12 Enrichment of CAMA Breast Cancer Cells from Whole Blood Starting frequency (CAMA) 1/10³ 1/10⁴ 1/10⁵ 1/10³ 1/10⁴ 1/10⁵ 1/10³ 1/10⁴ 1/10⁵ % Purity of CAMA Log Enrichment of % Recovery of CAMA Enriched Cells CAMA Cells Cells CD45  4 ± 2 5 ± 2 0.5 ± 0.4 1.4 ± 0.3 2.2 ± 0.3 2.3 ± 0.4 10 ± 3 26 ± 7 55 ± 36 alone (n = 4) (n = 7) (n = 3) (n = 4) (n = 7) (n = 3) (n = 4) (n = 5) (n = 2) CD45 and 27 ± 4 3.2 ± 0.6 0.5 ± 0.1 2.4 ± 0.1 2.5 ± 0.1 2.7 ± 0.1 15 ± 2 12 ± 1 22 ± 4  66b (n = 6) (n = 6) (n = 5) (n = 6) (n = 6) (n = 5) (n = 6) (n = 5) (n = 5) Extensive 65 ± 8 26 ± 8  3 ± 1 2.8 ± 0.1 3.2 ± 0.2 3.2 ± 0.3 38 ± 8 49 ± 14 33 ± 7  Cocktail (n = 9) (n = 9) (n = 6) (n = 9) (n = 9) (n = 6) (n = 7) (n = 5) (n = 5)

TABLE 13 T Cell Enrichment - Immunorosetting Using Ficoll Cocktail with Cocktail with n CD14 ± 1SD CD36 ± 1SD Purity 3 80 ± 10 94 ± 5 Recovery 3 56 ± 12  42 ± 10 SD = Standard Deviation from the mean Purity = % Purity CD3+ cells Recovery = % Recovery CD3+ cells

TABLE 14 Immunorosetting Using Hetastarch/Iodixanol Mixture Cell Type Purity Recovery Enriched mean SD n mean SD n T cells 95%  3% 3 61%  9% 3 CD4⁺ cells 89%  5% 2 64%  5% 2 CD8⁺ cells 80%  8% 2 43%  1% 2 B cells 84%  8% 5 58% 26% 5 NK cells 80% 15% 4 50% 23% 4 SD = Standard Deviation from the mean Purity = % Purity desired cell type (T cells = CD3+ cells, CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, B cells = CD19+ cells, NK cells = CD56+ cells) Recovery = % Recovery of desired cells

TABLE 15 Immunorosetting Using Different Layering Media B Cell Enrichment Media Ficoll Percoll Iodixanol Sample 1 (in triplicate) Purity ± 1SE 82 ± 2.9 81 ± 1.4 86 ± 2.7 Recovery ± 1SE 78 ± 6.0 110 ± 3   104 ± 10   Sample 2 (in triplicate) Purity ± 1SE 71 ± 1.2 77 ± 1.5 81 ± 2.4 Recovery ± 1SE 49 ± 8   78 ± 3   64 ± 1   SE = Standrad Error of the mean Purity = % Purity of CD19+ cells Recovery = % Recovery of CD19+ cells

TABLE 16 Puging of Breast Carcinoma Cells Using Immunorosetting Sample 1 Sample 2 Log depletion of 1.4, 1.4 1.1, 1.0 CAMA cells

TABLE 17 Removal of Granulocytes from Stored Whole Peripheral Blood Immunorosetting Ficoll alone % Granulocytes in 1.1, 1.4, 0.7, 0.4 20.9, 18.0 light density fraction Immunorosetting = Method outlined in Example 2, with depletion cocktail containing anti-CD66b Ficoll alone = Standard Ficoll density separation without immunorosetting Full Citations for References Referred to in the Specification

-   1. Braun et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 342:525:533. -   2. Brenner, M. B., Trowbridge, I. S., Strominger, J. L., 1985, Cell     40:183-190. -   3. De Lau, W. B., Van Loon, A. E., Heije, K., Valerio, D., Bast, B.     J., 1989, J. Immunol. Methods, 117:1-8. -   4. deWynter, E. A. et al., 1975, Stem Cells, Vol. 13:524-532. -   5. Firat et al., 1988, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Vol. 21:933-938. -   6. Glennie, M. J., McBride, H. M., Worth, A. T., Stevenson, G. T.,     1987, J. Immunol., 139:2367-2375. -   7. Holliger, P., Prospero, T., Winter, G., 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad.     Sci. USA, 90:6444-6448. -   8. Horrocks, C, M. Fairhurst and T. Thomas, 1998. Blood. Vol. 92, p.     25A. -   9. Karawajew, L., Micheel, B., Behrsing, O., Gaestel, M., 1987, J.     Immunol. Methods 96:265-270. -   10. Kostelny, S. A., Cole, M. S., Tso, J. Y., 1992, J. Immunol.     148:1547-1553. -   11. Kohler and Milstein, 1975, Nature 256, 495-497. -   12. Milstein, C., Cuello, A. C., 1983, Nature, 305:537-540. -   13. Nolan, O., Kennedy, O. R., 1990, Biochem. Biophys. Acta,     1040:1-11. -   14. Perez et al., 1985, Nature 316:354. -   15. Rheinnecker et al., 1996, J. Immunol. 157:2989-2997. -   16. Shpall, E. J., et al. 1994, J. of Clinical Oncology 12:28-36. -   17. Slaper-Cortenbach, Ineke C. M., et al., 1990, Exp. Hematol.     18:49-54. -   18. Staerz & Bevan, 1986, PNAS (USA) 83: 1453. -   19. Staerz & Bevan, 1986, Immunology Today, 7:241. -   20. Staerz et al., 1985, Nature, 314:628. -   21. Thomas, T. E., 1994, Cancer Research, Therapy and Control 4(2):     119-128. -   22. Van Dijk, J. et al., 1989, Int. J. Cancer 44:738-743. -   23. Vaughan et al., 1990, Proc. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncol. 9:9. -   24. Winter, G., Milstein, C., 1991, Nature, 349:293-299. 

1. A method of separating nucleated cells from a sample comprising the nucleated cells and erythrocytes, comprising: (1) contacting the sample with an antibody composition comprising (a) at least one antibody that binds to an antigen on the nucleated cells to be separated linked, either directly or indirectly, to (b) at least one antibody that binds to the erythrocytes wherein the antibody is not pre-bound to erythrocytes and binds to erythrocytes in the sample, under conditions to allow immunorosettes of the nucleated cells and the erythrocytes to form; and (2) separating the immunorosettes from the remainder of the sample.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the antibody composition comprises a bifunctional antibody wherein the antibody that binds to the nucleated cells is directly linked to the antibody that binds to the erythrocytes.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the antibody composition comprises tetrameric antibody complexes comprising (a) an antibody that binds to the antigen on the nucleated cells; and (b) an antibody that binds to the erythrocytes; and (c) two antibodies that bind to the Fc fragment of the antibodies defined in (a) and (b), wherein the antibodies in (a) and (b) are of the same animal species and the antibodies in (c) are of a different animal species from the antibodies in (a) and (b).
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the nucleated cells are selected from the group consisting of T cells, B cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, basophils, dendritic cells, plasma cells, mast cells, hematopoietic progenitor cells, hematopoietic stem cells, progenitor cells and tumor cells.
 5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the antibody that binds to the erythrocyte is anti-glycophorin A.
 6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising; (3) lysing the erythrocytes in the immunorosettes to isolate the cells. 